John F. Williams, MD, EdD, FCCM

Provost and Vice President for Health Affairs; Professor of Anesthesiology and of Health Services Management and Policy. In his role as Dean, Dr. Williams is responsible for the administration of the medical school and health sciences programs including student, faculty and budgetary issues.

In January 2003, GW President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg announced the appointment of Dr. Williams, Vice President for Health Affairs (VPHA), to the position of University Provost. In this capacity, Dr. Williams will be a spokesman for the University and will stand in for President Trachtenberg in his absence. Dr. Williams continues to serve as Vice President for Health Affairs.

In August 1999, George Washington University President Stephen J. Trachtenberg appointed Dr. Williams to the position of Dean, School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He assumed this academic appointment in addition to his administrative responsibilities as Vice President for Health Affairs at The GWU Medical Center. As Dean, Dr. Williams was responsible for the administration and oversight of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, including the Office of the Dean, consisting of seven associate and assistant deans who are responsible for the administration and oversight of student services, educational policy, curricular projects, student affairs and education, health science programs, admissions, and graduate medical education.

Since November 1997, Dr. Williams has served as vice president for health affairs (VPHA) and executive dean. As such, he is responsible for the administration and oversight of the various entities comprising the academic health center: the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, the School of Public Health and Health Services, the Office of Health Research, Compliance & Technology Transfer, and the University Hospital, in conjunction with the majority owner of that facility, Universal Health Services, Inc. Dr. Williams maintains a leadership role with the recently self-incorporated clinical faculty practice the MFA, Inc. by maintaining a seat on the Board of Trustees as well as a member of the Compensation Committee. Dr. Williams provides oversight and leadership to clinical chairman regarding educational and research initiatives. He also serves as liaison between the University and the MFA, Inc.

In the two months leading up to his appointment as VPHA, Dr. Williams served as interim vice president for medical affairs. Prior to that, from 1996-97, he served as medical director of GW Hospital and, from 1993-97, as associate vice president for graduate medical education at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dr. Williams also has served as associate dean for admissions and assistant dean for admissions at the medical school. He is a professor of anesthesiology and of health services management and policy.

In 1999 Dr. Williams received a medal acknowledging his “contributions to the health of the people of China” from the Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing China. In 1998 he received the Flag of the United States of America from Congressman Edward J. Markey for “outstanding contributions to the improvement of health of the Nation”. Dr. Williams was named to the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars in 1996. He also is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha National Honor Medical Society. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award for outstanding Contributions to Community and Profession from Boston University in 1990 and the People’s Medal from the People’s Republic of China for “medical contributions to the people of China”. In 1988, Dr. Williams was named the Outstanding Clinical Teacher of the Year by the American Medical Student Association.

Dr. Williams earned a bachelor of arts in education at Boston University in 1970 and a master of science at The London School of Economics and Political Science in 1973. He received a master’s of public health from Yale University in 1975 and a doctorate of medicine from The George Washington University in 1979. He also received a doctorate of education at GW in 1996.